City College student named Top Scholar in California

April 12, 2016

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San Diego City College

San Diego City College is proud to announce that one of its students — Issanna Loughman
— has been named to the 2016 All-USA Community College Academic Team. She is one of
just 20 students from more than 1,900 nominations selected for the prestigious honor,
and she was also named a 2016 Coca-Cola New Century Scholar for receiving the highest
application score in California.

Loughman received a $5,000 scholarship and special medallion for making the All-USA
Team. She also received a $2,000 scholarship as a New Century Scholar. The All-USA
honors were presented to Issanna and City College President Anthony Beebe at the Presidents
Breakfast this morning during the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
Convention in Chicago. She and the other 19 team members are also featured in a special
edition wrap that accompanied today’s USA TODAY.

“We’re so proud of Issanna, as she personifies the academic excellence our students
work to achieve,” Beebe said. “Her accomplishment speaks volumes about the quality
of our faculty and the academic programs at San Diego City College.”

Loughman, a psychology major, is on the dean’s list and has been inducted into two
national honor societies: Psi Beta and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). A dedicated community
volunteer, she has created multiple outreach programs including the Hart Healing Art
Project for therapeutic art activities, the Vida Joven Preschool Program to help orphaned
preschoolers in Mexico, and a college Psychology and AODS Tutoring Program. She plans
to earn a B.A. in developmental psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology
so she can offer therapy to children with mental illness and conduct research to support
positive policy change concerning the treatment of children in residential psychiatric
care.

In reflecting on her recent honors, Issanna shared, “I never thought I was smart enough
to be an honors student or transfer to a 4-year college, but by being at San Diego
City College I have been able to do things I never thought possible. I am so grateful
to have earned a place on the All-USA academic team and represent City College, because
in my opinion there is no better place to go to school than here.”

More about IssannaIssanna began her studies at City College in fall 2013. Her first year, she used a
walker on most days to get to her classes as she had recently been diagnosed with
a degenerative disc disease. Some days, she couldn’t lift her head off the pillow;
she couldn’t walk for an entire year and had spine surgery.

“That first year I was in and out of the hospital because of complications from my
spine surgery. The pain was so intense, but being in school gave me something to dedicate
my time to,” Issanna said. “Even if I was in the hospital, I would do my assignments.
I never fell behind, and having things to keep me mentally stimulated was so important.”

Issanna credits her experiences at City College with opening her eyes to what was
possible for her. “I was able to realize my potential because of the faculty and students,
especially the psychology faculty,” she said. “I have done all I can to give back
to City College.”

Issanna’s latest awards are additions to many other honors. In spring 2015, she received
the Ann G. Robinson College Life Award from the National Psi Beta Council, a San Diego
Gas & Electric Leadership Award, and a State Senate Certificate of Recognition, among
other awards. She has also received two Friends of Downtown scholarships, the Encore
Capital Scholarship and the Raymond R. Farmer Memorial Scholarship.

Issanna has gained experience in the area of research, including currently serving
as a research assistant at UC San Diego. She also participated in a research study,
Behind the Glitter, which she is presenting at this year’s Western Psychological Association
convention. She is working on her research thesis, Lock It: Children in American Psychiatric
Institutions, and also serves as an intern for Dr. Dan Stacy at Circles 4 Change,
who runs a restorative practice and provides trauma-informed care to San Diego County
youths.

Issanna has very specific plans for her future and is well on her way to achieving
her goals. She has already been accepted at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and she is
awaiting a response from NYU.

The All-USA Community College Academic Team is sponsored by Follett Higher Education
Group and presented by USA Today with additional support provided by the AACC and
PTK.